Ministry Pathways
for Laity
Through baptism, we become members of the Body of Christ and enter into a covenant with God to continue in the ministry of the apostles through worship, evangelism, and serving Christ in all persons. God is infinitely creative in expressing God’s mission through individuals’ lives and work, therefore the breadth of ministry available is as wide as God’s imagination.
We are all Christian practitioners of the good news, and our churches are communities of practice where we all attempt to live and learn into the shape of Jesus’s life and teachings together.
We are Living and Learning Communities of faith practice, which we express both inside and outside of the church walls.
I am discerning my role as a Lay Leader…
Derived from the Greek word laos, meaning “a people” or “a nation.” Typically used in the Christian tradition as laos tou Theou, referring to “the people of God.”
“The ministry of a lay person is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be and according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church” (BCP, 855).
What are my vows as a lay person?
Promises taken from Baptismal Vows (BCP, 304-305):
- Continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship
- Break bread
- Pray
- Resist evil and repent when you haven’t
- Tell about God’s Good news in Christ by what you say and do
- Seek and serve Christ in all people
- Love your neighbor as yourself
- Strive for justice and peace among all people
- Respect the dignity of every human being
What are my commitments as a lay person?
(adapted from ECMN Discipleship Hallmarks for Leadership)
- Commit to deepen relationship with God and to grow in faith with prayer, reading scripture, and commitment to worship and study
- Regular habit to practices of discipleship, discernment, and deliberation, modeling the rigor and discipline of prayer as a primary vehicle to walking the Way of Jesus
- Participate in existing lay ministries and discern with others about new ways the Holy Spirit might be calling us to meet the needs of the community inside and outside the church
- Discern where God is already at work and intentionally seek to join God’s mission in the world
- Live lives marked by integrity, compassion and Jesus’ call to love one another; treating others with respect regardless of human differences such as race, gender, social status, theological viewpoint and orientation
- Commit to deepening relationships with others in the congregation and to understand our mutual obedience to one another
- Take responsibility for creating a culture of openness to the stranger and a willingness to be a part of the Beloved Community
- Commit to lifelong discernment for discovering what God is inviting us for our ensuing chapters of faithful living
- Live lives of faith in thought, word and deed and intentionally pursue spiritual growth and renewal of body, mind, and spirit
- Trust the Holy Spirit is leading
Does the call to the pathway of
Lay Leadership still resonate with you?
Then keep going…
What gifts, skills, and talents do you bring with you into this ministry?
If you have already explored the Thresholds of Vocation pages, then you may have a solid grasp on some of your talents. You can also explore these TEAC grids developed by the Anglican Communion to assist you in exploring some gifts and skills needed for Lay Ministry.
Go through these grids and highlight the skills you feel confident you possess. Which ones need further discernment and development?
You may also recognize yourself or your calling in the examples below, or these may spark your imagination about something unique to you – your gifts, skills, and talents.
Expressions of
Lay Ministry
| Lay Professionals | Licensed Ministry and Lay Micro-Certification | Lay Ministries inside the church | Lay Ministries outside the church |
| – Formation Leaders (children, youth, young adult, adult, senior adult) | – Worship Leader | – Teaching and Training | – Community organizer, activist |
| – Parish or Diocesan Administrator | – Lay Preacher | – Vestry/Bishop’s Committee member or Warden | – Fundraiser |
| – Diocesan Missioner | – Catechist | – Pastoral Care | – Social entrepreneur |
| – Chaplain (hospice, hospital, prison, etc.) | – Evangelist | – Worship Ministries (Altar guild, usher, acolyte, greeter, reader, litanist) | – Civic engagement, Voter registration |
| – Spiritual Director | – Lay Eucharistic Minister | – Missional community leader (may also be professional and/or licensed) | – Non-profit work (paid and volunteer) |
| – Church Planter | – Lay Eucharistic Visitor | – Member of diocesan committee or board (COM, Formation, St. Vincent’s House, Executive Board, etc.) | – Volunteer leader, chaperone for youth events (Happening, Jr. High Retreat, Youth Delegates, VBS) |
| – Musician | – Daily Office Leader | – Utilization of specialized professional and life skills | |
| – Sexton | – Proclamation of the Word |
How do I know which pathway of Lay Ministry is right for me?
Making a decision like this is one that happens in community with others and with God. As you already know, this is the spiritual practice of discernment, which requires a lot of prayer and self-reflection and listening for the movement of God’s Spirit in your life.
It’s also important to listen to and seek wise counsel from trusted friends and family members. You may also want to begin meeting with a Spiritual Director. It is also vital for you to visit with your Rector, Vicar, or Head of Congregation during your discernment process.
If you have not already explored the sections on Thresholds of Vocation, here are some questions to help you as you continue the discernment process. Reflect carefully on these questions. We recommend writing your responses to them in a journal so you can share your answers with others when you discern with them. If you have already explored the Thresholds of Vocation pages, then you do not need to reflect on these again unless you find it helpful to do so.
| How am I claiming and living out my Episcopal identity? |
| How is the Episcopal community important in my life? |
| What are some of the practices I’ve found helpful in growing my faith? |
| How am I involved in my local faith community? |
| What ways have I found to connect my life in my faith community with engagement in the larger neighborhood and beyond? |
| How has being part of a faith community clarified and/or deepened my spiritual life? |
| What or where are the ministries I have said “yes” to in my church? |
| In what ways have I mentored others in their faith? |
| Where have I opened the space for conversation with others? |
| How do I understand my leadership in my local church? |
| How has my faith grown as I work to empower others to use their gifts to serve the community? |
Formation 